Staff and Volunteer Positions

Throughout the year Gomde California offers a variety of short- and long-term positions that provide opportunities for individuals to offer their service at our center. Staff and volunteer positions are open to people who have demonstrated ability and experience in the available positions.

Staff members are selected on the basis of their commitment to serious Dharma study as well as the relevance of their skills to Gomde’s current needs. We carefully consider all applications, but unfortunately we cannot accept all who apply. There are several types of residential staff positions including:

Full-time paid staff, employees of RYG CA

Resident Staff – with or without Stipends, depending on need

Volunteer Staff and Managers – unpaid

A summary description of each of these staff positions is provided below. For more information about staff or volunteer positions please contact Shabad Khalsa, Gomde Manager, at shabad108@hotmail.com.

Living and Working at Rangjung Yeshe Gomde California

Residential Staff positions are on-site positions that require 20 to 32 hours per week in their assigned job(s). Accommodation in our campground and access to all Gomde’s programs are provided while in residence. During the summer season three meals are provided per day, seven days a week. The rest of the year meals are only provided during programs. Need-based stipends may be provided in the fall, winter and spring seasons to help offset these costs.

General criteria include:

Attendance at two or more prior programs at RYG CA; ideally as work study participant

Familiarity with Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism

Already a student of Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche, Chokling Rinpoche, or Phakchok Rinpoche, or a sincere wish to form a connection with them and their lineage

Gomde is remote and lacks immediate access to most services, thus general physical and psychological health are important

Driver’s License and must have own car and car insurance *

Application with references required after initial screening

*Certain exceptions to car requirement may be made for people coming from Nepal or other Gomde centers.

Volunteer Staff: Because Rangjung Yeshe Gomde California is mainly run by volunteers, we are in regular need of non-residential volunteers to assist in our operations. There is no specific weekly work commitment, but rather the timely, effective completion of required tasks. RYG CA also has various committees staffed by volunteers such as the Fundraising Committee and Master Plan – Project Committee. Volunteers work under a Gomde Manager or Director, and may work on-site or off-site or both. Requirements include:

A minimum commitment of three months.

Commitment to the study and practice of the Buddhist path

Participation in Management meetings or conference calls when requested

Willingness to work within the framework of RYG Policies and Procedures under the direction of the Management Team and Board of Directors.

Dharma practitioners are preferred for this position, and participation in daily group practice is highly encouraged. These are resident positions, which include room, utilities and meals when programs are underway. Salary is dependent on skills and experience. Free attendance at all Gomde programs and retreats is included.

Please email, Shabad Khalsa, Gomde Manager, at shabad108@hotmail.com for a complete job description and to request an application.

Grounds Staff Position

We are presently looking to fill the position of Resident Ground Staff. The ideal candidate would start in early summer and work directly with the current Grounds Resident Staff person, as a Resident Summer Staff, taking over the position starting September 1st.

Duties include:

Conducting and overseeing land maintenance throughout the year

Campground and trail maintenance

Clearing brush for fuel reduction

Planning and maintaining gardens and landscaping

Operating and maintaining tools and equipment

Maintaining roads and drainage

Assisting with fire management and emergency services planning

Overseeing maintenance of water systems, including water quality testing and tracking

Working as staff during programs as needed

Supervising Gomde volunteers on land-related projects

Qualified candidates should possess:

Land and garden maintenance experience

The ability to work independently and in groups

Physical fitness necessary for strenuous outdoor labor

Competence in water systems a plus

Good communication and team building

Basic computer skills including Word and Excel

Driver License and own car or means of transportation

Dharma practitioners are preferred for this position, and participation in daily group practice is highly encouraged. These are resident positions, which include room, utilities and meals when programs are underway. Salary is dependent on skills and experience. Free attendance at all Gomde programs and retreats is included.

Please email, Shabad Khalsa, Gomde Manager, at shabad108@hotmail.com for a complete job description and to request an application.

Upcoming Programs

See Open PositionsThroughout the year Gomde California offers a variety of short- and long-term positions that provide opportunities for individuals to offer their service at our center. Staff and volunteer positions are open to people who have demonstrated ability and experience in the available positions.
Staff members are selected on the basis of their commitment to serious Dharma study as well as the relevance of their skills to Gomde’s current needs. We carefully consider all applications, but unfortunately we cannot accept all who apply. There are several types of residential staff positions including:

Full-time paid staff, employees of RYG CA

Resident Staff – with or without Stipends, depending on need

Volunteer Staff and Managers - unpaid

A summary description of each of these staff positions is provided below. For more information about staff or volunteer positions please contact Shabad Khalsa, Gomde Manager, at shabad108@hotmail.com.

Living and Working at Rangjung Yeshe Gomde California

Residential Staff positions are on-site positions that require 20 to 32 hours per week in their assigned job(s). Accommodation in our campground and access to all Gomde’s programs are provided while in residence. During the summer season three meals are provided per day, seven days a week. The rest of the year meals are only provided during programs. Need-based stipends may be provided in the fall, winter and spring seasons to help offset these costs.
General criteria include:

Attendance at two or more prior programs at RYG CA; ideally as work study participant

Familiarity with Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism

Already a student of Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche, Chokling Rinpoche, or Phakchok Rinpoche, or a sincere wish to form a connection with them and their lineage

Gomde is remote and lacks immediate access to most services, thus general physical and psychological health are important

Driver’s License and must have own car and car insurance *

Application with references required after initial screening

*Certain exceptions to car requirement may be made for people coming from Nepal or other Gomde centers.
Volunteer Staff: Because Rangjung Yeshe Gomde California is mainly run by volunteers, we are in regular need of non-residential volunteers to assist in our operations. There is no specific weekly work commitment, but rather the timely, effective completion of required tasks. RYG CA also has various committees staffed by volunteers such as the Fundraising Committee and Master Plan – Project Committee. Volunteers work under a Gomde Manager or Director, and may work on-site or off-site or both. Requirements include:

A minimum commitment of three months.

Commitment to the study and practice of the Buddhist path

Participation in Management meetings or conference calls when requested

Willingness to work within the framework of RYG Policies and Procedures under the direction of the Management Team and Board of Directors.

Dharma practitioners are preferred for this position, and participation in daily group practice is highly encouraged. These are resident positions, which include room, utilities and meals when programs are underway. Salary is dependent on skills and experience. Free attendance at all Gomde programs and retreats is included.
Please email, Shabad Khalsa, Gomde Manager, at shabad108@hotmail.com for a complete job description and to request an application.

Grounds Staff Position

We are presently looking to fill the position of Resident Ground Staff. The ideal candidate would start in early summer and work directly with the current Grounds Resident Staff person, as a Resident Summer Staff, taking over the position starting September 1st.

Duties include:

Conducting and overseeing land maintenance throughout the year

Campground and trail maintenance

Clearing brush for fuel reduction

Planning and maintaining gardens and landscaping

Operating and maintaining tools and equipment

Maintaining roads and drainage

Assisting with fire management and emergency services planning

Overseeing maintenance of water systems, including water quality testing and tracking

Working as staff during programs as needed

Supervising Gomde volunteers on land-related projects

Qualified candidates should possess:

Land and garden maintenance experience

The ability to work independently and in groups

Physical fitness necessary for strenuous outdoor labor

Competence in water systems a plus

Good communication and team building

Basic computer skills including Word and Excel

Driver License and own car or means of transportation

Dharma practitioners are preferred for this position, and participation in daily group practice is highly encouraged. These are resident positions, which include room, utilities and meals when programs are underway. Salary is dependent on skills and experience. Free attendance at all Gomde programs and retreats is included.
Please email, Shabad Khalsa, Gomde Manager, at shabad108@hotmail.com for a complete job description and to request an application.